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Bachelor of Accounting

If you’re an analytical, detail-oriented person looking for a job with variety and transferable skills across almost any industry, consider a career in accounting.  

Level
7
Credits
360 (3.0 EFTS)
Campus
Mt Albert
Start dates
February or July
Duration
Full-time for three years or part-time options available

Programme overview

Accountants are well-known for their problem-solving and number skills. They’re pivotal to the success of any business, and it’s a job that’s always in high demand.

Help organisations make better business decisions

As an accountant, you’ll be responsible for maintaining and analysing financial records to ensure tax and reporting requirements are met. You’ll also provide the data and advice companies need to minimise costs, boost revenue and increase profits.

Because accountancy can be broad and full of variety, the Bachelor of Accounting will prepare you to work in a variety of roles in diverse organisations. You’ll gain a deep understanding of accounting and finance principles and the dynamic local and international business environment. You’ll also learn to apply your technical know-how and skills in many cultural contexts and business settings.

Work towards becoming a Chartered Accountant

When you graduate, you can apply for provisional membership with Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) and Chartered Practising Accountant Australia (CPA). You’ll be ready to work in various industries and organisations at both operational and strategic levels.

Highlights

  • Apply for CA ANZ provisional membership. Once you’ve graduated, you’ll meet all the requirements to apply for CA ANZ and CPA’s professional pathways. After three years of mentored work experience, you can register as a Chartered Accountant

  • Focus on current best practices. Develop a high level of technical competence in accounting, concentrating on problem-solving and adaptability to changes in the marketplace.

  • Internship-based learning. In your final year, you’ll complete a work placement at an organisation of your choice, allowing you to apply your skills in a work environment. You will be prepared to move seamlessly into work once you graduate.

  • Learn using the latest software and systems that real-world organisations employ to manage their finances, like Tableau, Xero and Power BI.

  • Wrap-around student support. Learn from a well-connected, expert teaching team dedicated to your success. If you need help at any stage, they’ll connect you with our various Student Services.

Becoming a Chartered Accountant

This degree prepares you to meet all academic requirements for CA ANZ and CPA’s professional pathways. After completing a set amount of work experience, you can register as a Chartered Accountant.

Memberships benefits include:

  • Take advantage of CPA Australia and CA ANZ accreditation agreements.
  • Join an industry-approved training organisation.

Lots of career progression opportunities

You’ll be able to find employment in almost any industry, one of the many perks of working as an accountant. You could work in the not-for-profit sector, for a government agency, join a start-up or a large accounting firm – or, with some experience, start your own firm.

You may work as part of a team or independently, with executives and managers, or work towards running a finance team yourself.

To find out more about accounting careers:

Programme Structure

The programme structure for the Bachelor of Accounting in 2024 is:
 
  Year 1 Year 2 Year 3
Course 1 BSNS5001TPB Organisations in an Aotearoa New Zealand Context
Class number(s): 1214 or 5218
15 credits
ACCY5105TPB Commercial Law
Class number(s): 1200
15 credits
ACCY6107TPB Research Methods
Class number(s): 1208 or 5212
15 credits
Course 2 BSNS5002TPB Business Environments
Class number(s): 1217 or 5221
15 credits
ACCY5106TPB Economics
Class number(s): 5242
15 credits
ACCY6108TPB Accounting Information Systems
Class number(s): 1210 or 5214
15 credits
Course 3 BSNS5003TPB Business Functions
Class number(s): 1220 or 5224
15 credits
ACCY6101TPB Intermediate Management Accounting
Class number(s): 1202 or 5208
15 credits
Elective
Level 5, 6 or 7
15 credits
Course 4 BSNS5004TPB Change and Innovation
Class number(s): 1223 or 5227
15 credits
ACCY6102TPB Intermediate Financial Accounting
Class number(s): 1204 or 5210
15 credits
ACCY7101TPB Advanced Management Accounting
Class number(s): No classes scheduled
15 credits
Course 5 ACCY5101TPB Introduction to Accounting and Taxation
Class number(s): 1188 or 5196
15 credits
ACCY6103TPB Taxation In Aotearoa New Zealand
Class number(s): 1206
15 credits
ACCY7102TPB Advanced Financial Accounting
Class number(s): No classes scheduled
15 credits
Course 6 ACCY5102TPB Applied Accounting
Class number(s): 1191 or 5199
15 credits
ACCY6104TPB Introduction to Finance
Class number(s): 5244
15 credits
ACCY7103TPB Auditing and Assurance
Class number(s): No classes scheduled
15 credits
Course 7 ACCY5103TPB Analysis of Financial Information
Class number(s): 1194 or 5202
15 credits
ACCY6105TPB Data Analytics
Class number(s): 5246
15 credits
ACCY7104TPB Professional Accounting Project
Class number(s): No classes scheduled
30 credits
Course 8 ACCY5104TPB Budgets for Planning and Control
Class number(s): 1197 or 5205
15 credits
ACCY6106TPB Law of Business Entities
Class number(s): 5248
15 credits
 
 
This example programme overview is a guide only and assumes full-time study. Please check timetables carefully as not every course is offered each semester. Programme requirements and class numbers are subject to change.

Admission requirements

What you will need to study this programme. 


Domestic students

Academic requirements

You must have completed at least one of the following:

  • NCEA entry requirements;
    • NCEA Level 3, including 14 credits in 3 different approved subjects
    • NCEA Level 2 including 10 literacy credits, 5 credits in reading, and 5 credits in writing
    • NCEA Level 1: 10 credits in Mathematics or an equivalent qualification
  • Completion of an approved qualification at Level 4 or above with a relevant pathway.

And meet one of the English entry requirements;

Don’t meet these Academic requirements?

For more information, download the programme regulations (PDF 352 KB)


International students

Academic requirements 

Applicants must be at least 16 years of age when they begin their studies, and they should meet the country-specific admission requirement,

And meet one of the English entry requirements;

  • An equivalent of IELTS (Academic) with minimum band scores of 6.0 with no individual band lower than 5.5 from one test taken in the preceding two years,
  • Evidence of English language proficiency as outlined in the NZQA Rules on the Unitec English Language Requirements for International Students Web-page.
  • University Entrance Literacy: 10 credits at Level 2 or above in English or Māori (5 in Reading, 5 in Writing); or

If you do not meet the English criteria above, we have a range of English Language programmes available, depending on your current level of ability.

Don’t meet these Academic requirements?

For more information, download the programme regulations (PDF 352 KB)


 

Courses and timetables

For more details on the courses, please click on the course names below. Please note that our systems are updating with new course timetable information for 2025; please check back again soon.

Courses Credits Aim
Introduction to Accounting and Taxation (ACCY5101TPB) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies to apply accounting concepts, standards, processes, and tax rules to prepare financial statements.
Applied Accounting (ACCY5102TPB) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills and competencies to record and process a range of financial transactions.
Analysis of Financial Information (ACCY5103TPB) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills and competencies to calculate, analyse and interpret financial information to inform decision making for an organisation.
Budgets for Planning and Control (ACCY5104TPB) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies to prepare and use budgets to monitor performance and determine internal controls to minimise risk for an organisation.
Commercial Law (ACCY5105TPB) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) The aim of this course is to enable akonga to understand the legal system and creation and interpretation of law and to apply knowledge and the skills of finding and applying law to a range of situations.
Economics (ACCY5106TPB) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills, and competence to apply elements of economic theory to contemporary business issues.
Organisations in an Aotearoa New Zealand Context (BSNS5001TPB) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies to analyse organisations and engage with stakeholders in an Aotearoa New Zealand context.
Business Environments (BSNS5002TPB) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies to analyse and manage the impact of environmental influences on a business entity.
Business Functions (BSNS5003TPB) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) The aim of this course is to develop knowledge, skills, and competencies relevant to the core business functions of accounting, operations, human resource management, marketing and sales.
Change and Innovation (BSNS5004TPB) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies to contribute to organisational change and innovation.
Courses Credits Aim
Intermediate Management Accounting (ACCY6101TPB) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies to use management accounting tools to plan, control and inform decisions about business operations.
Intermediate Financial Accounting (ACCY6102TPB) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies to apply appropriate reporting framework to prepare and present financial statements.
Taxation in Aotearoa New Zealand (ACCY6103TPB) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies to apply taxation rules to a range of situations and entities.
Introduction to Finance (ACCY6104TPB) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies to apply business finance techniques.
Data Analytics (ACCY6105TPB) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies to analyse and evaluate business data to support decision-making.
Law of Business Entities (ACCY6106TPB) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies to apply the law to form and operate business entities and structures.
Research Methods (ACCY6107TPB) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies to apply research methods within a business environment.
Accounting Information Systems (ACCY6108TPB) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies to evaluate and use accounting information systems and technologies.
Courses Credits Aim
Advanced Management Accounting (ACCY7101TPB) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies to apply advanced management accounting techniques and skills to inform decision making
Advanced Financial Accounting (ACCY7102TPB) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies required for a critical understanding of financial accounting issues within an Aotearoa New Zealand context.
Auditing and Assurance (ACCY7103TPB) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies to operate in the auditing and assurance profession.
Professional Accounting Project (ACCY7104TPB) 30.0 credits (0.25 EFTS) The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies to undertake a work-based project in accounting.